"'What is the matter?' said Rina, executing a magnificent entrechat.
"'Nothing. Only those rascally travellers have given the alarm at Florence, and the hussars of the Grand-duchess Eliza are looking for us.'
"'They are too late for the performance,' said Rina, laughing. 'I have finished my dance.'
"It was lucky, for the bow had fallen from my hands at the news I had just heard. Rina made one bound to the door, and then turning, as if she had been on the stage, curtsied to the audience, and kissed her hand to the captain. The applause was deafening; I doubt if she had ever had such a triumph.
"'And now, to arms!' cried the captain. 'Prepare a horse for Rina and another for the musician. We will go on foot. The road to Romagna, remember! Stragglers to rejoin at Chianciano.'
"For a few minutes all was bustle and preparation.
"'Here I am,' cried Rina, running in, attired in her Roman peasant's dress.
"'Usseri, Usseri!' said the innkeeper.
"'Off with you!' cried the captain, and every one hurried towards the stairs.
"'The devil!' said the captain, turning to me, 'you are forgetting your bass, I think.'